Xperimental Long Neck - Are these legal?

[big easy]

I might be under a wrong impression but I'm pretty sure that I've seen somewhere that these putters, because of their specs, are not legal for tournament play. Am I right? If so, is there any "Grandfathering provision" in the USGA or RCGA rules that provides that putters produced before "x" date are deemed legal for tournament use (like for Ping Eye irons with square grooves)?

BigE

[Ginker]

It would be news to me if they were illegal.

[LobWedge]

The Xperimental C5 prototype is now called the Detour, and it is legal. Rory Sabatini used one when he won the Nissan tournament last year.

[Ginker]

I believe he is talking about a diff. putter.. The Xperimental longnecks are newports with really long necks. Like 5 inches..

[Ginker]

Something along the lines of this
http://www.scottycameron.com/authent...gistry=A004690

[LobWedge]

Ah, I see.

Titleist is very good at listing non-conforming items on their website, and the only article that I could find on putters was about the original Futura Long.

[big easy]

That's exactly it Scotty...I may be wrong but I was under the impression that there was some issues with the length of the neck/hosel versus the overall length of the clubface. Can't find any information in that regard...must be legal then.

[spackler]

The point of the long neck is just to face balance the putter, isn't it? I haven't heard anything about them being non-conforming either.

[MusicMan]

why wouldnt they be?

how can a putter be non-conforming? is it even possible?

[Started2k3]

why wouldnt they be?

how can a putter be non-conforming? is it even possible?

Anything is possible.

But for this - socket to sole cannot exceed 5".

Appendix II, 2c.
Figure VI.

check it out on:
http://www.randa.org/flash/rules/rul...nd2004_v2.html

[MusicMan]

i dont understand why? its just a putter who cares if the neck is 12 inches long? what difference can it make in ones putting?

ps that link didnt work for me...

[Ginker]

I putter can't be longer front to back then the length of the face (pelz 3 ball was illegal for this reason)..

[MusicMan]

but what is the reasoning behind it? im just curious

[Chieflongtee]

I might be under a wrong impression but I'm pretty sure that I've seen somewhere that these putters, because of their specs, are not legal for tournament play. Am I right? If so, is there any "Grandfathering provision" in the USGA or RCGA rules that provides that putters produced before "x" date are deemed legal for tournament use (like for Ping Eye irons with square grooves)?

BigE

If I were you little man I would stick with this long neck.

[Pinshark]

I putter can't be longer front to back then the length of the face (pelz 3 ball was illegal for this reason)..

So is that why the face on my Ping Doc is 15 cm across...so they could make the putter 15cm deep as well?

[LobWedge]

So is that why the face on my Ping Doc is 15 cm across...so they could make the putter 15cm deep as well?

Yes, you are correct. The numbers on those Ping putters refer to the distance between the outermost dimension from heel end to toe end of the whole head, not just the face. The Doc 17 is 17 cm from heel to toe (just inside the maximum limit allowed of 17.78 cm or 7"), the Doc 15 is 15 cm, and so on. And yes, the putter can be as deep as the distance from heel to toe within the 7" limit.

[Pinshark]

Yes, you are correct. The numbers on those Ping putters refer to the distance between the outermost dimension from heel end to toe end of the whole head, not just the face. The Doc 17 is 17 cm from heel to toe (just inside the maximum limit allowed of 17.78 cm or 7"), the Doc 15 is 15 cm, and so on. And yes, the putter can be as deep as the distance from heel to toe within the 7" limit.

Good to know. Someone actually asked if it was legal when I showed it to them haha. I should add I LOVE it although havnt made a putt on real grass as of yet....maybe this weekend.